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I think that the protagonist had fallen in love with someone of their own race, which is obviously forbidden love. This book may also have had in it a law that forbade casting a shadow on solar panels too, but I may just be confusing it with another.

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    +1 This sounds like an interesting premise, whatever it is, lol. Commented Jun 27, 2011 at 15:25

1 Answer 1

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It wasn't the main point of the story, but this was an element of Piers Anthony's 'Ghost'; the 'miscegenation act' was imposed to force all of the races to end up melding together, in effect ending discrimination, as well as reducing population increase. In effect, it simply restricted anyone of a clearly defined race from engaging in reproductive sexual activity with someone of the same, or very close, race.

The exception is made for during space flight, where such rules are relaxed to facilitate relaxation in general in the stressful environment. A women on board of the same race as the protagonist, however, should therefore be accessible to our hero... And she promptly kills herself, as she cannot reconcile this possibility with her view of the hero as a 'father-like' figure.

As to the 'Shadow on solar panel section'.. Does this sound like it might be what you were referring to? :

The top of the building was covered with solar collectors, each unit enclosed by clear plastic so as to make an oven effect. The sunlight entered freely, [....] Only a narrow walkway remained for access to the blimp dock, and a sign said WATCH YOUR SHADOW.

Dunno about it being illegal, but clearly frowned upon.

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    Yes, Piers Anthony's Ghost has a "miscegenation act." As I remember it, the ban is not on relationships between people of the same race, only on such couples having children. There's a point made in the book that although the stated purpose for the act was to eliminate racism, part of the real agenda was to decrease population growth.
    – Pixel
    Commented Nov 27, 2011 at 21:20
  • You are quite correct; it was on reproduction, not sex (although it looked like there was a Taboo with same-race sex, based on behavior), which was important to the main character's planned wife. I've edited my answer to reflect that. Thanks for clarifying :)
    – K-H-W
    Commented Nov 27, 2011 at 21:25
  • Just in case, also count the shadows.
    – o0'.
    Commented May 26, 2014 at 15:38
  • @Lohoris - i.imgur.com/3ZJUcDi.gif
    – Valorum
    Commented May 26, 2014 at 17:48
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    @lohoris - Sleep? Don't even blink...
    – Valorum
    Commented May 26, 2014 at 21:50

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